Minutes for the City Council Regular Meeting
1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, California 92821
February 17, 2026
Roll Call: (The following members were in attendance)
1. CLOSED SESSION - EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 3RD FLOOR - 5:30 P.M.
1.A. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hupp called the Closed Session to order at 5:30 p.m. All members were present.
1.B. Public Comment
Denise Eby spoke about the RWG contract renewal, billings, travel expenses, office rental rate, and suggested the City Council terminate services and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for new legal services.
1.C. 1C. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) - Anticipated Litigation. Initiation of Litigation: 3 potential cases.
1.D. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b). Title: City Attorney
Mayor Hupp adjourned the Closed Session at 6:31 p.m.
2. STUDY SESSION - EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 3RD FLOOR - 6:00 P.M.
2.A. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hupp called the Study Session to order at 6:32 p.m. All members were present.
2.B. Public Comment
None.
2.C. Clarify Regular Meeting Topics
None.
2.D. Continued Review of Two Existing General Municipal Taxes in the City of Brea
Financial Services Manager Madrazo provided an overview on the Business License Tax and introduced Eric Meyers, Director of Professional Services for HdL Companies.
Eric Meyers provided a presentation and overview of the past 7-year business license revenue trends, business license counts, and tax revenue. He compared business scenarios and estimated business license revenue to those of other jurisdictions. Additionally, he reviewed the impacts of a cap on reported gross receipts and compared four (4) different tax models which included removing the gross receipt rate cap, implementing a simple percentage increase, a single gross receipts rate, and a variable gross receipts rate.
The City Council discussed the tax model options, rental revenue and caps, and business license registration fees.
The City Council concurred to bring the item back to a Special Study Session Meeting for further discussion.
2.E. Council Member Reports/Requests
None.
2.F. Study Session Adjournment
Mayor Hupp adjourned the Study Session at 7:02 p.m.
3. GENERAL SESSION - COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLAZA LEVEL - 7:00 P.M.
3.A. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hupp called the General Session to order at 7:06 p.m. All members were present.
3.B. Pledge of Allegiance
Brea Girl Scout Troop 3013 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.C. Invocation: Pastor Tyler Lemen, Birch St Friends Church
Pastor Tyler Lemen, Birch St Friends Church, led the invocation.
3.D. Commendation: Senior Center Christmas Party Recognition
Mayor Hupp invited Jeff Kenan, President of the Brea Senior Leadership Council, to speak about the Brea Senior Center Christmas Party.
The City Council presented Dwight Manley, Jayk Burczyk on behalf of Alireza Ghaemian of Brea Improv, and Lanette Collar on behalf of Scott and Rosemary Mcintosh of Reunion Kitchen + Drink, Commendations in recognition of their donations to the 2025 Brea Senior Center Christmas Party.
3.E. Report - Prior Study Session
City Manager Griffith provided a report on the prior Study Session.
City Attorney Boga stated no reportable action was taken on the prior Closed Session.
3.F. Community Announcements
Council Member Stewart announced the City is offering free disaster preparedness training. He indicated participants will receive classroom and hands-on training to learn about disaster preparedness and announced that the next class will take place on February 24 through March 14 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday morning. He noted pre-registration is required for each class, which can be completed on the City website and stated this is the last week to register.
Council Member Marick announced the annual Brea 8K Classic Race will take place this Sunday, February 22. She indicated roads along the race route will be impacted from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and stated the course map, residential street closures and other event information can be found online by visiting Brea8k.com.
Council Member Vargas announced Go Serve Brea is now accepting service projects. He indicated projects must be completed within 2 to 3 hours and will take place on April 25. He noted additional information can be found by visiting the City website.
3.G. Matters from the Audience
Denise Eby spoke about the RWG contract renewal, billings, travel expenses, office rental rate, and suggested the City Council terminate services and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for new legal services.
Gerry Hunter spoke about homelessness at City Hall Park, and the Brea Police Department.
3.H. Response to Public Inquiries
In response to public comments made about the RWG contract agreement, City Attorney Boga provided clarification regarding travel expenses and billing.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
4.A. Waive Full Reading of and Introduce Ordinance No. 1267, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Brea Granting a Pipeline Franchise to Crimson California Pipeline, L.P.," and Approve a CEQA Exemption Determination
Senior Management Analyst Cuevas provided a presentation on the item. He spoke about California Public Utility Code, Brea Code requirements, and reviewed the franchise term length and fees, and provided staff's recommendations.
Mayor Hupp opended the Public Hearing.
Seeing no members of the public wishing to address the Council, Mayor Hupp closed the Public Hearing.
Council Member Vargas inquired about the franchise fees, staff fees and legal fees.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Simonoff and seconded by Council Member Stewart to waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 1267 "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Brea Granting a Pipeline Franchise to Crimson California Pipeline, L.P.," by title only and approve a California Environmental Quality Act exemption determination; and appropriate any revenues received as part of this franchise in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget; and authorize the City Clerk to release the current faithful performance bond upon acceptance of the new faithful performance bond once notification is received from the Public Works Department. Motion passed 5-0-0-0 (Ayes: Hupp, Simonoff, Marick, Stewart, Vargas).
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Simonoff and seconded by Council Member Stewart to approve Consent Calendar items 5A - 5C. Motion passed 5-0-0-0 (Ayes: Hupp, Simonoff, Marick, Stewart, Vargas).
5.A. February 3, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
The City Council approved the February 3, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as written.
5.B. Monthly Report of Investments for the City of Brea for Period Ended January 31, 2026
The City Council received and filed the Monthly Report of Investments for the City of Brea for the period ended January 31, 2026.
5.C. January Outgoing Payment Log and City Disbursement Registers for January 30, and February 6, 2026
The City Council received and filed the January Outgoing Payment Log and City Disbursement Registers for January 30 and February 6, 2026.
6. CITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY - CONSENT
A motion was made by Council Member Vargas and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Simonoff to approve City/Successor Agency Consent Items 6A and 6B. Motion passed 5-0-0-0 (Ayes: Hupp, Simonoff, Marick, Stewart, Vargas).
6.A. Monthly Report of Investments for the Successor Agency to the Brea Redevelopment Agency for Period Ended January 31, 2026
The City Council, as the Successor Agency, received and filed the Monthly Report of Investments for the Successor Agency to the Brea Redevelopment Agency for the period ended January 31, 2026.
6.B. Successor Agency Disbursement Register for January 30, 2026
The City Council, as the Successor Agency, received and filed the January 30, 2026 Successor Agency Disbursement Register.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS
7.A. City Manager
None.
7.B. City Attorney
None.
7.C. Council Requests
None.
8. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
8.A. Council Announcements
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
9.A. Meeting Adjournment
Mayor Hupp adjourned the General Session at 7:43 p.m. in memory of Reverend Jesse Jackson.